asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (a) the date on which the Bovine TB Eradication Scheme began, (b) the gross expenditure to date on the Scheme, (c) the amount paid to herd owners in respect of (i) reactors and (ii) clean herd bonuses, (d) the amount paid in (i) veterinary surgeons' fees (ii) guarantee payments (iii) byre and water supply grants and (iv) administrative and other expenses, (e) the number of herds still locked up, and (f) the estimated cost of clearing the country of bovine TB.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bovine TB Eradication.
25.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to furnish the information requested in the form of a tabular statement, to be circulated in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
(a) The original phase of the Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Scheme, i.e. the voluntary stage in counties Clare and Sligo was initiated in September, 1954. The first Clearance Area Order, which related to Co. Sligo, was brought into operation on 1st November, 1957. The following figures relate to the position on 31st January, 1966.
|
(b) Gross expenditure on the Scheme |
£56,558,681 |
|
(c) Amount paid to herd-owners in respect of |
|
|
(i) reactors |
£35,268,041 |
|
(ii) clear herd bonus |
£1,204,012 |
|
(d) Amount paid in |
|
|
(i) Veterinary Surgeons' fees |
£10,776,588 |
|
(ii) Guarantee payments |
£4,614,717 |
|
(iii) Byre and water supply grants |
£1,150,323 |
|
(iv) Administrative and other expenses |
£3,545,000 (A) |
|
(e) Number of herds still locked up |
4,200 (B) |
|
(f) Estimated cost of clearing the country of Bovine Tuberculosis |
£39,286,657 (C) |
(A) Includes an estimate of £1,800,000 salaries.
(B) Over 50% of these have had one clear test.
(C) Net expenditure to 31st January, 1965.
Could the Minister inform us when he expects the country to be cleared?
It is clear. The country is fully attested.
It is not clear of bovine TB.
That is a different matter.